Tong Yao felt quite uneasy for quite a while and couldnt relax until the plane had taken off...This wasnt the first time shed sat so close to Lu Sicheng, but it was totally different from the previous times. Before she confessed to Jinyang, she had never considered Lu Sicheng as a potential target whom she would develop a crush on.
-- --She had suddenly realized Lu Sichengs gender.
She had mentioned her sudden realization to Jinyang, who mercilessly laughed at her.
After the plane had reached its cruising altitude, the flight attendant announced that passengers could now use their electronic devices. In order to distract herself from focusing on Lu Sichengs presence right next to her, Tong Yao turned on her iPad to watch videos of Red Arrows past competitions-- --The predecessor to Red Arrow was a team called Assassin Corps, which was disbanded after the team failed to win the world championship and was reorganized into Red Arrow. Only one member of the original team, their top, stayed on to join Red Arrow. Red Arrow was able to keep its position in the major league without much difficulty, but they failed to get into the world competition again and again. Each time, the team missed by a whisker.
Last year, the only original member of Assassin Corps announced his retirement-- --
He left when the team had just lost its chance to compete in the world tournament. He left with a lot of regret and humiliation. To be more exact, he was actually driven out by Red Arrow fans from many comments like: senior, old Top, or holding the team back......
The funny thing was that Red Arrow hadnt performed any better after the departure of their Top. In this years Spring Tournament, the team had barely made it into the playoffs and none of those internet trolls stepped up to take responsibility for the poor performance of the team.
......
Tong Yao rested her chin on one of her hands and looked up at Ming god, who was sitting in the row in front of them forcing Old K and Old Cat to study Red Arrows stats-- --
Not every professional player could retire at the height of his career like Ming god did, being sent off with cheers and applause...Most players, who were once at the top, would gradually slow down and drop down and become substitutes. By the time most fans had forgotten about him and his name only appeared when the fans were mocking him, he would suddenly post on Weibo announcing his retirement. The post would be reposted hundreds or thousands of times, yet no one would mention it the next day.
It was the reality of professional esports.
Tong Yao wiped her face and turned to talk to Lu Sicheng: Captain, what will you do after you retire?
Coach. If theres no more games, Ill go home to work at my familys company-- --Every year, my dad burns incense and makes offerings to Buddha wishing Riot Games would go bankrupt the next day. Lu Sicheng replied without thinking. Why?
......Im watching Ghost Constellations game videos.
Ghost Constellation was forced to retire last year. At the critical moment in their last match, he didnt use teleport well and sent the whole team to their graves. Lu Sicheng said: Actually, the move wasnt bad, but his state of mind had gone awry.
Its all because of those internet trolls.
To play professionally, its not enough to be skilled and win games. Sometimes, the player himself has to have the self-awareness-- --when to listen, when not to; what to do, and what not to.
Oh. Why are you suddenly lecturing me about the human state of mind.
......
En? Tong Yao raised her eyebrows.
Lu Sicheng met her curious eyes for a while, then lightly smiled and flicked her forehead: Its nothing. Im just afraid that youll be destroyed by those trolls before you have the chance to shine in this profession, little girl.
Tong Yao: ......
Her forehead didnt hurt.
But Tong Yao still covered her forehead with her hand and shrunk her head back. She was lightly blushing and only two words flew across her mind like bullet comments: Little girl, little girl, little girl, little girl, little girl, little girl, little girl
It was a sinful flirting.